Package-carrier for velocipedes



(No Model.)

V O. H. LAMSON. PACKAGE, CARRIER FOR VELOGIPEDES.

Patented Apr. 21; 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES II. LAMSON, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

PACKAGE-CARRIER FOR VELOCIPEDES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,673, dated. April 21, 1891.

Application filed July 16, 1890. Serial No. 358,900. No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, CHARLES II. LAMSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of- Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and usef ul Improvements in Package-Carriers for Velocipedes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to package-carriers for bicycles and other velocipedes; and the object of the invention is to devise a carrier which shall be connected with the velocipede by means of a spring, the tension of which may be varied according to the weight to be carried; and my invention consists, broadly, of a frame or support for the package, a spring by which said frame is suspended, said spring being attached to the velocipede, and means for varying the tension of the spring according to the weight to be supported.

The invention also consists of the various combinations of parts set forth in the claims.

This means of supporting a package enables me to carry without injury delicate and easilydamaged articles like fruit, berries, &c.,which when rigidly attached to the machine would be liable to injury from the jar, and it also enables me to adapt the strength of my spring to the article to be transported.

I show in the accompanying drawings a carrier constructed with a View of carrying out my invention in a practical form, although the invention maybe embodied in other forms.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my carrier attached to the head of a Safety bicycle, and Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same.

The device is here shown to be attached to the head A of the bicycle; but it may equally well be attached to any suitable part of the machine by varying the form of the clamp. A clamp B, fastened by a thumb-screw I), is secured to the head A. The forward portion of this clamp is formed intoahorizontal bearing Z), and in this bearing is an arbor O, which extends some distance each way from the head. A stiff spring D is coiled around each end of the arbor C. The inner end of each spring extends through the arbor and is thus firmly held. The rotation of the arbor winds or unwinds the spring.

A handle 0' is provided for turning the arbor, and means are provided for retaining it in any suitable position. This I accomplish by forming in one end of the bearing Z) a se ries of notches c,into which his a pin 0, here shown as formed of the end of the spring D, projecting through the arbor.

A spring is provided to move the arbor O longitudinally and to force the pin 0 into one of the notches c. As here shown, this spring (1 is coiled around the arbor C andpresses against one end of the bearing 1) and also against the pin (Z fixed in the arbor. The frame or sup port for the package is suspended from the ends of the springs D, which are extended horizontally, or nearly so, to form arms (Z. The arms (1 may be, if desired, formed of rigid or independent pieces connected with the ends of the spring, although I prefer to use the spring proper for this purpose, as here shown. The support whichI here show suspended from the spring D consists of two vertical side pieces G G, each being secured by pivots g at their upper ends to the ends of the arms (Z. A hoop I (here shown as a square hoop) is also pivoted to the side pieces G by the same pivots g Secured between the lower ends of the side pieces G is a base or bottom J.

As arranged in full lines in Fig. 1-nan1ely, with the upper hoop I horizontal-the frame is adapted to receive a vessel II, which I prefer to make of canvas or other fabric, and in this receptacle may be placed fruit, berries, and other perishable articles. I provide a support for the lower part of this frame, by which the same is steadied and the frame held in an upright position. As here shown, this support consists of a U-shaped link F, the two ends of which are pivoted to the lower ends of the side pieces G, the middle portion being pivoted to the lower end of a rod E, the upper end of which is secured in the bearing Z) by means of the nut o. By this arrangement the frame is always preserved in an upright position.

If it is desired to transport any article which the canvas vessel II will not contain, this vessel is removed by lifting it out of the top of the frame and the hoop I is revolved IOO linesin Fig. 1.

on its pivot to an uprightposition. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, a package of any form-as, for instance, what is shown by dotted lines O-may then be placed on the base J and secured by straps, as L, to the side pieces G and hoop I. Slots 9 in the former and z" in the latter are provided for these straps. A pin or stop c' in the side of the frame I fits a slot g when the frame is turned to an upright position and holds it in place.

The operation of my carrier is evident from its construction. The frame is suspended on the end of the arm cl, and is consequently carried With little jar. lVhenever a weight is applied either in the vessel H or strapped to the frame, as indicated, the spring D is wound up to the proper tension by pushing it longitudinally until the pin 0' is freed from the notch c, and it is then turned the proper number of times until the package is balanced. YVhen the pressure is released, the pin 0 Will be forced back into one of the notches c, and so retain the arbor firmly in place. If a support is desired stiffer than the spring D, a link may be pivoted to the arbor O and to the pivot g as shown by dotted By this arrangement the supporting power ofthe spring will be much increased and a heavier weight can be carried.

I desire it to be understood that although I have described minutely the construction of one form of my invention I regard the ac companying claims as covering other equivalent forms. It is evident, for instance, that equivalent forms of spring other than the spring D may be used while still embodying my invention.

I claim- 1. In a package-carrierfor velocipedes, the combination of a frame or support for the package, a spring by which said frame is suspended, said spring being adapted to be secured to the velocipede, and means for changing the tension of said spring, substantially as described.

2. In a package-carrier for velocipedes, the combination of a frame or support for the package, a coiled spring by one end of which said frameis supported, an arbor attached to the velocipede and to which the other end of said spring is secured,and means for turning said arbor and securing it in position to change the tension of said spring, substantially as described. V

3. In a package-carrier for velocipedes, the combination of a frame or support for the package, a coiled spring by one end of which said package is supported,an arbor to which the other end of said spring is secured, journaled in a bearin g adapted to be secured to the velocipede, said arbor being movable longitudinally in said bearing,a pin in said arbor, and a notch into which said pin enters to prevent the turning of said arbor, and a spring for in oving said arborlon gitudin ally, whereby said pin is forced to enter said notch, substantially as described.

4. In a package-carrier for velocipedes, a frame, for supporting the package, consisting of two vertical side pieces, a bottom piece secured to the lower ends of said side pieces, and a hoop forming the upper portion of said frame, pivoted to the upper ends of said side pieces, combined with arms pivoted to the upper ends of said frame and springs for supporting-said arms, said springs being secured to the velocipede, substantially as described.

5. In a package-carrier for velocipedes, the combination of a pair of coiled springs attached to a suitable support, one end of each of said springs projecting outward to form an arm, a frame for supporting the package, said frame being pivoted at its upper end to said arms, a vertical rod the upper end of which is secured to said support, and a link pivoted to the lower end of said rod and to the lower end of said frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

CHARLES H. LAMSON.

Witnesses:

S. W. BATES, IRA B. HUDSON. 

